Living In Courage » Fun

Kids Yoga Bubble Music

Debra Oakland — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 20:57:30 +0000

Children are courageous teachers and encourage on so many levels. I find this video refreshing and inspirational. Yoga Bubble jvg music album was released March 17th, 2011. Thanks to yoga music teacher Jason Victor Gubbay for the magical music. The video was shot live at Bondi Junction in Sydney Austalia. Yoga instructor Suzanna helps guide the children in fun hatha yoga postures/asanas and savasana. Watch the baby on the sidelines trying to follow the poses!

How To Enjoy Being Alone

Debra Oakland — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 01:07:12 +0000

As I was catching up on Facebook today, I noticed the video “How To Be Alone” on my friend Pamela Dangelmaier’s FB wall. As Pamela says, this video carries a poignant message. I couldn’t agree more.

I quote Bravo, who produced this video – “A whimsical piece that explores the multi-faceted definition of “alone”; the relationship between solitude and loneliness; and the multitude of ways we can embrace being alone while negating the associated stigmas.” This video is by filmmaker, Andrea Dorfman, and poet/singer/songwriter, Tanya Davis.

There are so many lonely people in the world. Some even lonely in a room full of people. By learning to enjoy the moment for what it is, life can become more joy-full.

“This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, Love to complete your life.”

Owning Pink Roars Courage

Debra Oakland — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:59:42 +0000

If you love to live your truth, tell your story, feel your pain, express your joy, take what you need, and give what you will – You will love Owning Pink. This is an amazing online community, that supports, offers guidance, inspiration and ideas. This is done through posts, workshops, and the Pink Posse forum. This is a safe place, free of facades. Owning Pink allows you to reclaim your mojo, and tap into your most authentic you. Owning Pink roars courage to me.

Lissa Rankin created this space for you. Here is some information about Lissa from her blog – Lissa Rankin is an OB/GYN physician, author of the forthcoming What’s Up Down There? Questions You’d Only Ask Your Gynecologist If She Was Your Best Friend (St. Martin’s Press, 2010) and Encaustic: A Guide To Creating Fine Art With Wax (Random House, 2010), a nationally-represented professional artist, a mother, and founder of Owning Pink, a website and series of workshops committed to building authentic community and empowering women to get their mojo back. She is also a dog walker, a spiritual seeker, a wife, a yogini, a chauffeur, a cook, and a music fanatic. First and foremost, she is a woman, and like many women, she once thought she had to put herself into a box and choose who to be. She now accepts that, while she is all these things, no single identity defines her. She is more than what she does. She strives to be authentic, in all aspects of her life, and she encourages others to do the same.
Lissa practices holistic women’s health at Clear Center of Health in Mill Valley, California. Her nationally-recognized abstract encaustic paintings and sculptures are represented by galleries in San Francisco, Santa Fe, Boston, Atlanta, Laguna Beach, Houston,and Bethesda. She currently resides in Northern California with her husband and fellow artist, Matt Klein, and their daughter, Siena.

Here are some links for you to connect with Lissa, Owning Pink and The Pink Posse:

www.owningpink.com
www.lissarankin.com
www.lissarankinart.com
www.clearcenterofhealth.com
Owning Pink Community: http://www.owningpink.com/forum
Twitter ID: lissarankin
Facebook: Owning Pink http://www.facebook.com/owningpink
Facebook: Lissa Rankin http://www.facebook.com/lissarankin

And introducing The Pink Effect:
www.pinkeffect.ning.com

I hope you visit Lissa and the Pink Posse, you will be thrilled you did.

Debra Oakland @ Living in Courage Online

Ellen Degeneres Tulane Graduation Speech

Debra Oakland — Sun, 24 May 2009 01:30:03 +0000

Happy Memorial Weekend everyone. My amazing friend Nicole McKinney shared this post on her blog BCAD Group. I would like to share it with you as a source of inspiration and direction. Ellen has gained a great deal of wisdom on life’s journey. I find she shares this wisdom honestly with the graduating students of Tulane University in New Orleans.

Debra Oakland@ Living in Courage Online

Ellen Degeneres Tulane Graduation Speech

I thought I would change the tone and theme of my post today and provide some humor as well as some inspiration. We all know Ellen Degeneres. I find her so funny. For those of you who do not know, Tulane University is located in New Orleans. As of today there are many who are suffering the ravages years later from Hurricane Katrina. A city with so much history and vibrant with culture….almost drown at the hands of mother nature. As this brave city shows its resilience, this speech from Ellen reminds each of us to be who we are. The power of believing in yourself will be the milestone that allows each one of us to make our most profound contribution. I came across this post from a daily feed called Splendora. Gina Pell, the founder of this trend zine as I like to call it, always finds such interesting things to cover on her weekly radar! Enjoy — I sure did.

Happy Memorial Day to our American friends.

Best Nicole

The Courage of Children’s Book “Imagine That”

Debra Oakland — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:46:22 +0000

I have a most delightful friend in Rosemary Holmes-Gull. She has written the magical children’s book “Imagine That” - a book of true inspiration that represents courage to me. Part of the proceeds from sales of the book go to “Mothers Without Borders.” Rosemary’s son Bentley did the beautiful illustrations.The campaign day for the book May 26th 2009. If you would go to Rosemary’s website (Children’s Imaginings) that day – May 26th to order to order “Imagine That” this will help her get up the best seller charts!! I know you will love this book. Please share it with your family and friends. They will thank you for it.

Imagine That…A Picture Book of Possibilities

This delightful picture book inspires and motivates children to see and believe in their magnificence. Using examples from nature–the ant, the butterfly, and the bumble bee–children come to understand their power, their ability to overcome difficulties and challenges, even the ability to do the seemingly impossible. All of this because they have been blessed with the gift of imagination. A recurring theme throughout the book is: If you believe it, you will find a way to achieve it.

This has truly been a labor of love for Rosemary,” a work of heart” as she plans to donate part of the proceeds from sales of the book to Mothers Without Borders, an organization that works with AIDS orphans in Zambia. Rosemary is traveling to Zambia in July to work as a volunteer with the children.
She is especially proud of the wonderful illustrations that her son, Bentley provided for the book. It was joyful experience to collaborate with him in this venture.

For details on purchasing the book, please visit www.childrensimaginings.com

Children are our future, so it is vital that they realize they hold joy inside through the power of Love. This lovely book teaches children how to Live in Courage.

Debra Oakland @ Living in Courage Online

The Backroom Short Film Festival is Courageous Inspiration

Debra Oakland — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 20:42:38 +0000

A friend of mine Paul Gruber is the mastermind behind The Backroom Film Festival. Why am I sharing this at Living in Courage? I find Paul courageous for creating an opportunity for people to not only view inspiring short films, but to get involved by making their own short film and becoming a part of The Backroom tv community.

Debra Oakland @ Living in Courage Online

Who Are We?

The Backroom is a group of individuals who are committed to improve our communities through a series of short film festivals designed to present films in the categories of inspiration/motivation, comedy and animation. Our vision is to create a global “Backroom” in which we are “Affecting people in a positive way.”

“We believe that in the future there will be a greater desire for short films, and we’ll need the talent to make them.” Paul Gruber

What We Do

The Back room searches for opportunities to promote people in our communities who are excited about life and willing to share their knowledge and skills with others. The Backroom understands the importance of how “giving starts the process of receiving.”

In addition to the festivals, we are also developing and promoting various programs – bringing together people who have something to share with those who have something to learn. Online networks, informal get-togethers and formal events are being created to encourage people from various backgrounds to join the www.thebackroom.tv community.

What greater way to promote new talent than through a gathering of short film makers and short film enthusiasts? The Backroom Short Film Festival is an event that is designed to showcase people who have an inspiring story, unique talent, or special skill from which we can all benefit.

How Can I Become Involved?

Are you an aspiring filmmaker? Do you have a special skill or talent? Do you have a unique story to share and do you enjoy short films? Be part of a community in which we live, learn and grow and be inspired through the process where, “giving starts the receiving.” Be a part of an experience that is positive and unforgettable.

For more information, go to www.thebackroom.tv or contact Paul at 941.234.3553.

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Paul Gruber

Phone: 941-234-3553

Email: HYPERLINK “mailto:paul@peopleareready.tv” paul@peopleareready.tv FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ST Petersburg, Fla., – The Back Room Short Film Festival of Sarasota is seeking film submissions for a short film festival at the NOVA 535 on September, 9th from 6 – 9 pm. This one-day festival will feature films from 2 – 7 minutes in length in three categories: inspiration/motivation, comedy and animation.

“This is a film festival designed as a family friendly occasion with the movies rated PG or less,” said Paul Gruber, founder of HYPERLINK “www.PeopleAreReady.com ” www.PeopleAreReady.com and HYPERLINK “http://www.TheBackRoom.tv” www.TheBackRoom.tv “We are encouraging people of all ages to participate and are reaching out to schools and other groups to encourage children, teens and young adults to submit a film.”

About HYPERLINK “http://www.TheBackRoom.tv” www.TheBackRoom.tv

The Back Room Community, founded by Paul Gruber, is a group of individuals whose vision is to improve the community we live in through inspiriting, teaching, learning and applying the skills necessary to be successful in an ever-changing world.

Our vision is to “Affect people in a positive way”.

Wanna Get Happy – Watch This Amazing Video

Debra Oakland — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:37:56 +0000

Amazing to watch – I could not quit smiling! Unsuspecting train riders get a big treat. DANCE TRAIN STATION BELGIUM do-re-mi The Sound of Music – Julie Andrews. What a wonderful way to lift your spirits.

Click on the link Read More for Video.

Happy Easter From Living In Courage

Debra Oakland — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 19:08:05 +0000

Happy Easter to everyone this fine day. I plan on keeping light and fun – and you? It is all about gratitude, love and joy this fine Sunday. Have some eggs and make sure they are really colorful. Chomp on some chocolate, run around and play. Today is for being grateful. Whatever else you do just enjoy it to the fullest.

Thank you for your continued support of Living in Courage Online. I send you love and peace.

Debra Oakland @ Living in Courage Online

Character Is Doing The Right Thing When No One Is Looking

Debra Oakland — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:26:10 +0000

An Old Farmer’s Advice:

* Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight, and bull-strong.
* Keep skunks and bankers and lawyers at a distance.
* Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
* A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.
* Words that soak into your ears are whispered…not yelled.
* Meanness don’t jes’ happen overnight.
* Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.
* Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.
* It don’t take a very big person to carry a grudge.
* You cannot unsay a cruel word.
* Every path has a few puddles.
* When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.
* The best sermons are lived, not preached.
* Most of the stuff people worry about
ain’t never gonna happen, anyway.
* Don’t judge folks by their relatives.
* Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
* Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and
think back, you’ll enjoy it a second time.
* Don’t interfere with somethin’ that ain’t botherin’ you none.
* Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
* If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin’.
* Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.
* The biggest troublemaker you’ll ever have to deal with,
watches you from the mirror every mornin’.’
* Always drink upstream from the herd.
* Good judgment comes from experience, and
a lotta that comes from bad judgment.
* Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot
easier than puttin’ it back in.
* If you get to thinkin’ you’re a person of some influence,
try orderin’ somebody else’s dog around.
* Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.

“Character is doing the right thing when no one is looking.” ~~ J.C. Watts

If I Had My Child To Raise Again

Debra Oakland — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 23:45:21 +0000

If I Had My Child To Raise Again

❤ I would finger paint more and point the finger less.

❤ I would do less correcting and more connecting.

❤ I would take my eyes off my watch and watch with my eyes.

❤ I would care to know less and and know to care more.

❤ I would take more hikes and fly more kites.

❤ I would stop playing serious and seriously play.

❤ I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.

❤ I would do more hugging and less tugging.

❤ I would be firm less often and affirm more often.

❤ I would build self-esteem first and the house later.

❤ I would teach less about the love of power and more about the power of love.

* Diane Loomans, Full Esteem Ahead

Blessings to all ❤